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Ball Position by Club All clubs Beginner ⏱ 3 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Golf Ball Position for Every Club: The Step Method

The longer the club and the less loft it has, the further forward the ball is placed in your stance. Swing Quest translates this rule into a simple pre-shot routine: take a few steps—always starting with the ball in the center—to find the right stance without having to think about it.

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Swing Quest Golf · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

5 minSame problemBall Position Workshop: Three Sticks, Three BallsPaul Lambersens · Beginner5 minSame problemBall Position and Backspin: The Why ExplainedQuentin Rachinel · Beginner3 minSame problemPhil Mickelson's Chipping Ball Position: Up or BackPhil Mickelson · Rookie

What the lesson shows

The video explains the basic principle: with your feet shoulder-width apart and the ball in the center, moving your feet toward the target moves the ball back in your stance; moving them to the right moves the ball forward. The longer the club and the less loft it has, the farther the ball travels. To be able to hit it every time, start with your feet together, the ball in the center, and spread your feet apart with steps.

Short irons (8-iron wedge): one small step to the left, one small step to the right, and the ball stays put in the center. Medium irons (needle size 7 to needle size 5): not even to the left, not even a little bit further to the right. Long irons: not on the right—even bigger. Fairway Woods: a tiny step to the left, toes pointed outward, a big step to the right, ball just inside the left heel. Driver: front foot open, take a large step to the right until your feet are shoulder-width apart, ball on the inside of the heel.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Stand with your feet together, with the ball in the center of your feet.
  2. Short irons, from the wedge to the 8-iron: one small step to the left, one small step to the right.
  3. Medium irons, from a 7-iron to a 5-iron: not even to the left, not even a little farther to the right.
  4. Long irons: not even to the left, and certainly not farther to the right.
  5. Fairway wood: a very small step to the left, toes pointed outward, a long step to the right.
  6. Driver: Open your front foot, then take a big step to the right until your feet are shoulder-width apart.

Key Takeaways

The longer the club, the further back the ball is positioned in the stance.
We start with both feet together, the ball in the center.
The step toward the target remains small; it's the step to the right that gets bigger.
Short irons: ball in the center.
Fairway wood: just inside the left heel.
Driver: on the inside of the front heel.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Maintain the same ball position with all clubs.
  • Take equal steps on each side with a long club: the ball stays in the center.
  • Forgetting to turn the front foot outward when hitting with a wood or driver.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Pre-shot routine, club by club
  2. Visual check: ball in the center of the wedge, on the front heel of the driver
  3. One ball per club, from the wedge to the driver

Your Questions

Why step out with both feet together instead of stepping directly into position?

Starting with the ball in the center provides a fixed starting point. Then, the size of the step to the right moves the ball forward according to the club, without any calculations.

What happens if I move my feet toward the target?

The ball moves backward in the stance. If you move them to the right, it moves forward. That's the whole idea behind the method.

What's the difference between a fairway wood and a driver?

With a fairway wood, the ball is positioned just inside the left heel, after taking a very small step to the left. With a driver, you open the front foot and take a big step to the right: the ball is positioned on the inside of the heel.

Learn More

All videos on “Ball Position by Club” →Find the lesson that's right for you Too Close or Too Far from the Ball: The Arm TestThe correct distance from the ball is achieved by letting your arms hang down: they should fall below your shoulders, not onto your thighs. Ball Position and Backspin: The Why ExplainedThe ball's position relative to the club is determined by the angle of attack and the desired amount of backspin: the more precision you want, the further back the ball is placed. Ball Position Workshop: Three Sticks, Three BallsA driving range station with three clubs and three balls, positioned at the center of the swing (front shoulder), to ensure a consistent ball position with every club.

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